Albanians with criminal convictions banned from holding office

(TIRANA) - Albania's parliament passed a law Thursday barring people with criminal convictions from political life, a move hailed by the United States and European Union as Tirana looks to battle corruption and organised crime.

The new law applies to anyone with a history of criminal activity, barring them from public office. It also requires anyone with a criminal record, or who is a suspect in a criminal inquiry or corruption probe, to resign from public office within three months, a parliament statement said.

The move was welcomed by both Washington and Brussels, with the US embassy in Tirana describing it as "the toughest law in Europe against criminals in politics".

"It is a victory for the Albanian people who want clean government and an end to corruption," the embassy said in a statement.

"While much work still remains in Albania's fight against crime and corruption, this law represents a bold step in reducing the influence of criminal elements in the country."

The EU mission to Tirana added that the new rules were "expected to strengthen the rule of law, enhance integrity amongst public officials, boost the fight against corruption, but also increase citizens' confidence in the functioning of the State and its institutions".

NATO member Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, obtained EU candidate status last year. The move was aimed at encouraging the country's progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime, and establishing the rule of law.